From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Stockton California Letter Date: Sun, 16 Nov 1997 23:24:06 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and religious organizations and 50 clergy from 15 faiths and denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. November 16, 1997 Stockton Record 530 E. Market St. Stockton,CA, 95202 Dear Editors: In his letter of November 11, Christopher Larson consistently and incorrectly refers to Christianity as though it were a large monolithic set of beliefs, especially with regard to sexual behavior and morality. In his conclusion he says that we must treat people with respect and kindness even if we do not approve of their beliefs and attitudes. The question he has failed to address directly is whether legal recognition should be classified as "respect and kindness" or "approval." As American law recognizes the validity of many religious traditions, Christian and otherwise, which have conflicting views on many subjects, it should be obvious that legal recognition is a sign of respect, kindness and mutual benefit which helps all of society without making any statements about whether any particular belief meets with our approval. The organizations and individual clergy members affiliated with our organization, many of whom are Christian, do not believe that mixed-gender relationships are morally superior to same-gender relationships; but this does not in any way stop us from supporting the legal recognition of religions with different beliefs. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.